Broadcaster Park Su-hong apologizes for causing flight delay after reversing decision to deplane with crying baby

Broadcaster Park Su-hong has apologized for causing inconvenience to fellow passengers after his family's last-minute decision to stay on board delayed a flight's departure.

Park posted an apology on his social media account Wednesday, saying his family had caused a delayed departure on a recent flight. "This took up a great deal of precious time for many people and caused trouble for airline staff as well," he wrote. "I sincerely bow my head in apology."

Park explained that his child had cried so inconsolably right after boarding that the family could not even take their seats. "In a moment of panic, I made a poor judgment call," he said. "Fearing that the child's crying would cause even greater disturbance to passengers throughout the long flight, I informed a cabin crew member that we intended to deplane."

He then said the child stopped crying while the family waited on board, prompting him to tell the crew they would stay after all. "I failed to realize that reversing that decision would cause significant delays due to security re-screening and other procedures," he said, adding that the incident stemmed from his ignorance of aviation protocols. "There is no excuse whatsoever."

The controversy began when claims circulated in online communities that Park's family had boarded an international flight bound for Guam, announced they would deplane because of the child's crying, then reversed course — causing a departure delay of roughly one hour. A video showing Park apologizing to passengers inside the cabin was later made public, fueling further backlash.

Meanwhile, Park married Kim Da-ye in 2021, overcoming a 23-year age gap. The couple welcomed a daughter, Jaei, in 2024 through in vitro fertilization.